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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED that County Councillor James Gibson-Watt be appointed Chair for the coming year (2023/24)
RESOLVED that an amendment be made to the CJC Constitution Section 6 2.1 and 2.2 by the Monitoring Officer.
RESOLVED County Councillor Gareth Ratcliffe proposes that the 3 recommendations are accepted. This was seconded by County Councillor Bryan Davies.
RESOLVED County Councillor Bryan Davies proposes that the above recommendations are accepted. This was seconded by County Councillor Gareth Ratcliffe.
The Chair, County Councillor Bryan Davies welcomed everyone to the Mid Wales CJC Formal and AGM Meeting. County Councillor Bryan Davies wishes to note his personal thanks and sends good wishes to Dr Caroline Turner for the future, following the recent announcement of her departure from Powys CC.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that County Councillor James Gibson-Watt be appointed Chair for the coming year (2023/24)
County Councillor Gareth Ratcliffe nominated County Councillor James Gibson-Watt as Chair of the CJC for 2023/24. This was seconded by County Councillor Bryan Davies. RESOLVED that County Councillor James Gibson-Watt be appointed Chair for the coming year (2023/24)
Apologies received - Powys County Council Jack Straw, Interim Chief Executive Nicola Williams, Strategic Programme Delivery Manager (CJC) Ceredigion County Council Barry Rees, Corporate Director Duncan Hall, Section 151 Officer and Corporate Lead Officer: Finance and Procurement Justin Davies, Corporate Manager: Core Finance
There were no disclosures of interests to declare relating to matters to be considered on the agenda.
· To approve the minutes – CJC & AGM – 4th July 2022 CJC – 19th January 2023 County Councillor Gareth Ratcliffe proposed that the minutes of the CJC & AGM meeting held on 4th July 2022 be signed as a true record, County Councillor Bryan Davies seconded. County Councillor Gareth Ratcliffe proposed that the minutes of the CJC meeting held on 19th January 2023 be signed as a true record, County Councillor Bryan Davies seconded.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that an amendment be made to the CJC Constitution Section 6 2.1 and 2.2 by the Monitoring Officer.
The Monitoring Officer presented the report on the Constitution of the Mid Wales CJC. RECOMMENDATION The constitution of the CJC in its present format requires the appointment of a Chief Executive for the CJC but does not require the appointment of a Deputy. The present CJC Chief Executive is on a protracted sickness absence and to alleviate the problem, the Chair and Vice Chair agreed to appoint Eifion Evans as Chief Executive (Interim Chief Executive at that time). To avoid this going forward it is suggested that an amendment is made to Section 6 2.1 and 2.2 of the Constitution as set out in paragraph 2.2 of the report which provides for the appointment of a Deputy Chief Executive allowing them to take over from the Chief Executive whenever requested to do so, for whatever reason. It was proposed by County Councillor Bryan Davies that the recommendation be adopted. This was seconded by County Councillor Gareth Ratcliffe. RESOLVED that an amendment be made to the CJC Constitution Section 6 2.1 and 2.2 by the Monitoring Officer.
The Monitoring Officer clarified that Eifion Evans has been Acting Chief Executive and Jack Straw as Interim Deputy Chief Executive whilst Dr Caroline Turner is on protracted sickness absence. At this AGM as laid down in the Constitution, Eifion Evans automatically becomes Chief Executive and Jack Straw as Interim Deputy Chief Executive (whilst Dr Turner is on sickness absence). Should a new Chief Executive be appointed in Powys CC then he/she would become the CJC Deputy Chief Executive.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED County Councillor Gareth Ratcliffe proposes that the 3 recommendations are accepted. This was seconded by County Councillor Bryan Davies.
The CJC Chief Executive, Eifion Evans presented an update Report relating to the production of the Corporate Plan for the CJC. Statutory guidance published by the Welsh Government requires fulfilment of a number of statutory requirements in particular its public sector duties. Audit Wales have a duty to review compliance with the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 It was agreed to develop a Corporate Plan and this needs to articulate the direction of travel and share the vision of the Board. Collectively, the structure and the Constitution has been agreed as the Monitoring Officer has already referenced. Amendments made to a few areas to ensure resilience in delivering the duties as a Corporate Joint Committee. Agreement has been reached on 3 pillars as is required by Welsh Government, one will be focusing on Strategic Planning with another on Transport and the third pillar will focus on Economic Wellbeing. The CJC and its sub-committees are made up of Local Government Authorities which in the Mid Wales Region include Ceredigion County Council, Powys County Council, and the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park. Each has their own strategy responsibilities to produce Wellbeing objectives but the opportunity here for the CJC is to be explicit in what objectives are relevant to the 3 pillars that have been identified. The plan has been developed and is well underway for completion. On section 5 of the Report there is a timeline set out for delivery and final adoption and publication and the aim is for December 2023. RECOMMENDATIONS 1) Members to note the progress and comment on the proposed approach to develop the Corporate Plan. 2) Members to provide comment on the draft Wellbeing Objectives. 3) Members to note the timescale for development, consultation and adoption of the Corporate Plan. The Chair welcomed any comments on the Report. County Councillor Gareth Ratcliffe commented that happy with the 3 objectives but would like to incorporate Climate Change within some of the objectives acknowledging that this may be difficult at this point. Noted and Chief Executive explained as future progress is made, both sustainability and climate change, will be cross-cutting themes that will filter across all working practices which needs to be incorporated into the Corporate Plan. It was noted together with the Wellbeing Future Generations Act, to review as a duty the respective Corporate Statements and Strategies and make sure these are encapsulated as part of the broader CJC. The Monitoring Officer sought clarity and confirmation that the CJC’s ability to comment upon the draft Corporate Plan will be available for the September workshop. It was queried by County Councillor Gareth Ratcliffe whether everyone was happy with the timeframe of December 2023. Reassurances were given that a draft version which although not presented today has progressed significantly and will meet the timeframe given. RESOLVED County Councillor Gareth Ratcliffe proposes that the 3 recommendations are accepted. This was seconded by County Councillor Bryan Davies.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED County Councillor Bryan Davies proposes that the above recommendations are accepted. This was seconded by County Councillor Gareth Ratcliffe.
The CJC Chief Executive, Eifion Evans presented a Report with regards to the progression of delivery of work in the Sub Committees of the Mid Wales Corporate Joint Committee. Some key tasks are required and it was emphasised that the CJC is the body that has provided strategic direction for the regions to deliver on the 3 pillars that have already been identified. Challenges are faced in relation to the statutory requirements to develop the Strategic Development Plan and clarity is sought from Welsh Government and Ministers as a matter of urgency on how best to deal with these considering that the 3 constituent bodies are at different stages of the development plans. ACTION – Chief Executive to formally write to Welsh Government seeking a meeting as soon as possible regarding the Strategic Development Planning. The next challenge regards the Regional Transport Planning which has been undertaken collaboratively over many years and has proved successful with Officers working jointly across the region, delivering on this vision. It is intended to proceed with this partnership, however the old TraCC body did include South Gwynedd who subsequently also sit in the North Wales CJC which adds complexity. Whilst delivery of a joint regional transport plan is not something new for the two local authorities, what has changed is the boundary of the new plan. It will no longer include southern area of Gwynedd council therefore, the three local authorities currently involved in the TraCC Mid Wales Transportation forum, will need to consider whether this resource is still required to continue and whether with the development of the new RTP by the CJC requires a different approach going forward, and the continued operation of TraCC is a duplication. Economic Development is the third pillar, the message is clear that the CJC must add value to the working relationships of the region. A well established and working relationship has been built with the two Local Authorities and Bannau Brycheiniog. Therefore, the proposal would be a gradual integration of the economic strategies, when appropriate, into the working of the CJC. RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended that Ceredigion and Powys Council MWCJC Members approve the following regarding progression of work with the three sub committees of the CJC. Strategic Development Planning (SDP) 1. CJC to seek clarification on the legal position of the region moving to SDP work, leaving Powys in a ‘no plan’ period. 2. CJC to support the resource requirements of pre-preparatory work in establishing the SDP and developing the Delivery Agreement. Regional Transport Planning (RTP) 1. To commence the work of the CJC Transport Sub Committee and request Welsh Government to present on the Regional Transport Guidance. 2. To undertake work to assess costs to undertake the RTP. 3. That the existing GMW Transport Lead Officer is asked to lead on the work. 4. To confirm that the southern area of Gwynedd is not included in the new regional transport plan and for the local authorities of Ceredigion and Powys to review the role and whether there is a need to retain the existing transport group TraCC. Economic Wellbeing 1. That the Mid Wales CJC resolves to receive the updated Vision for Growing Mid Wales from the GMW Partnership in the Autumn, for consideration to adopt as the strategy for this area of work. 2. That the Mid Wales CJC provides the mandate for the sub-committee to begin meeting informally to begin scoping and detailing the options as outlined in the report, to report back in a plan by the next available CJC Meeting. County Councillor Bryan Davies highlighted that during a recent meeting which included the Leaders of Powys, Ceredigion and Gwynedd CC regarding the proposed RTP changes, the Gwynedd Leader was not happy with the arrangements going forward. It is suggested that a further separate official meeting is arranged regarding TraCC with the Gwynedd CC to outline and clarify the proposals in this report. ACTION – Chief Executive to forward a letter proposing a further meeting with Gwynedd CC re TraCC and proposed changes going forward. Discussion around whether the recommendations above should be taken individually or as one. The Monitoring Officer advised that either would be acceptable. County Councillor Gareth Ratcliffe would be happy to take the recommendations as a whole, Bannau Brycheiniog is not represented on 2 of the Sub Committees but emphasises the impact on the National Park and the need to be engaged to help with those two areas. The Chair consulted with the Monitoring Officer to seek advice on whether the Sub Committees have a co-opt facility or to have members as observers and not vote. It was advised that the Constitution can always be amended at the next meeting but a degree of flexibility can be utilised in the meantime. County Councillor Gareth Ratcliffe welcomed this and suggested a separate meeting with Cath Mealing-Jones CEO of BBNP. They hold a unique position sitting on 3 different Mid Wales CJC’s. Gareth Jones commented that for the Southwest CJC, Bannau Brycheiniog is a co-opted member of both the Regional Transport and the Economic Wellbeing Sub Committees which could be discussed further. ACTION - It was agreed that Officers would meet separately, look at the legality and agree the way forward and bring back to the next meeting in October 2023. RESOLVED County Councillor Bryan Davies proposes that the above recommendations are accepted. This was seconded by County Councillor Gareth Ratcliffe.
County Councillor Bryan Davies wishes to reiterate having the discussion with the relevant Ministers regarding the SDP and LDP. The Chief Executive has noted and taken this as a direct action. The Chair thanked everyone for their attendance and the meeting concluded. Next Meeting – Thursday, 12th October 2023 a 11 am – 12.30 pm / Zoom Webinar
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